Craft Recordings celebrates the 15th anniversary of Alice In Chains' seminal 2009 album, Black Gives Way To Blue, with a special vinyl reissue. The LP, out-of-print since its original release and a long-sought treasure for hard rock devotees, will arrive on September 27 and is available for pre-order today.
In addition to the wide 2LP release, fans can also pick up the album on three limited edition color pressings: “Black Widow” (available exclusively through the Alice In Chains store), “Black Smoke” (via the Craft Recordings store), and “Electric Smoke” (available at Revolver).
Black Gives Way To Blue is Alice In Chains’ fourth studio album, first released on September 29, 2009. The project marks a significant moment in the band’s history, being their first record to feature William DuVall sharing vocal and guitar duties with founding member Jerry Cantrell, alongside bassist Mike Inez and drummer/founding member Sean Kinney.
Upon release, Black Gives Way To Blue was an instant smash hit, debuting at #5 on the Billboard 200 and achieving Gold certification from the RIAA by May 2010. It includes singles “Your Decision,” “Lesson Learned,” “Check My Brain,” and “A Looking In View,” plus the poignant title track “Black Gives Way To Blue,” which features a guest performance from Elton John on piano. This song, a heartfelt tribute to late frontman Layne Staley, captures the band's process in coming to terms with their loss while finding a path forward. Both “A Looking In View” and “Check My Brain” were Grammy Award nominated for "Best Hard Rock Performance" in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Additionally, Black Gives Way To Blue won Revolver's
Golden Gods Award for "Album Of The Year" in 2010.
Despite the near unanimous acclaim, the band felt apprehension in pursuing new music after the tragic death of founding frontman Layne Staley. In a 2009 interview with Billboard, the band discussed the delicate balance between honouring their beloved band member and continuing to evolve the group’s sound in new directions. “It took a lot to get through this process and to even take the chance, and stand-up and risk,” Jerry Cantrell said.
DuVall added: “I think initially people came [with] arms crossed, sort of hoping against hope. I hear that a lot. I’m not trying to do a Layne. One of the things I loved about him was how individual he was. He was just being himself, so that’s what I do.”
Cantrell also reflected on that era in a 2024 interview with Metal Hammer, sharing details about the recording process, which took place at Studio 606 in LA, owned by the band’s friend Dave Grohl. Cantrell explained that the new chapter of Alice In Chains was a pure artistic pursuit of creating excellent music: “There was no master plan, despite what people think,” he continues. “This felt right, so we did the next thing, and then the next thing… It’s more than just making music and it always has been. We’ve been friends a long time. We’re not doing this to please anybody. It had to be OK from here,” he says, pointing to his chest.
Now, 15 years on, the band still feels deeply connected to Black Gives Way To Blue, which signalled a significant turning point in their legendary career. All these years later, the album remains an important touchstone for the group and their millions of devoted fans. Blending heavy grunge with pummelling, unrelenting hard rock, the album was both a tribute to Staley’s impact on the band and a map for moving forward.
Tracklisting:
Side A:
"All Secrets Known"
"Check My Brain"
"Last Of My Kind"
Side B:
"Your Decision"
"A Looking In View"
Side C:
"When The Sun Rose Again"
"Acid Bubble"
"Lesson Learned"
Side D:
"Take Her Out"
"Private Hell"
"Black Gives Way To Blue"
(Photo - James Minchin)
